målcelle

A målcelle, a term originating from Swedish, translates to "target cell" in English. In various contexts, it refers to a cell that is the intended recipient or site of action for a specific biological or chemical process.

In medicine and pharmacology, a målcelle is a cell that possesses specific receptors on its surface or within its cytoplasm that can bind to a particular drug, hormone, or signaling molecule. This binding interaction triggers a response within the målcelle, leading to a therapeutic effect or a physiological change. For example, cells in the liver are målcelle for certain medications designed to regulate metabolism, and muscle cells are målcelle for hormones like insulin that promote glucose uptake.

In immunology, a målcelle is a cell that is recognized and targeted by the immune system for destruction or modulation. This can include infected cells, cancerous cells, or transplanted cells that are perceived as foreign. Immune cells, such as cytotoxic T lymphocytes or natural killer cells, identify these målcelle through specific molecular markers and initiate an immune response to eliminate them.

The concept of målcelle is fundamental to understanding how treatments work and how the body's natural defense mechanisms operate. Identifying and understanding målcelle is crucial for developing effective therapies and for research into various diseases.